Clifton Wealth Partnership Snaps Up Two Scotland-Based Advice Firms

Chapters Capital advises on two deals bringing close to £150m FUM and two new offices to Clifton Wealth Partnership.

The transactions

Clifton Wealth Partnership has completed the acquisitions of Scottish financial planning firms Cairn Independent and JRW Financial Management.

Chapters Capital was pleased to have advised on both transactions, marking our first two deals with Clifton Wealth.

Together, the deals will add approximately 500 households, close to £150 million FUM, and 9 staff members, including 3 advisers, to Clifton Wealth’s business, strengthening their presence in Scotland.

Anthony Carty, Managing Director at Clifton Asset Management, said: “The acquisitions of Cairn Independent and JRW Financial are a significant step in building Clifton’s presence in Scotland, adding two new offices and strengthening our footprint beyond Aberdeen. We’re grateful to Chapters Capital for their support across both of these transactions and look forward to working closely with Daniel and Simon in the future.”

Who is Cairn Independent?

Cairn Independent, based in Kirkcaldy, was founded by Robert Young in 1993. It is a directly authorised, chartered financial planning firm, specialising in retirement and investment planning. The firm looks after approximately £100 million in client assets (FUM), servicing 300 households.

Laura Young, Operations Director at Cairn Independent, said: “We’re really excited to be joining Clifton Wealth Partnership. At Cairn, we’ve always valued the long-term relationships we have with our clients and the community we’ve built as a team, so it was really important for us to find a partner who shares those values and the same client-first approach. Joining Clifton means our clients will have access to even more resources, while keeping the service and culture that make Cairn what it is. Thank you to Simon and Daniel at Chapters for their support and guidance along the way.”

Simon Bourke, Managing Director at Chapters Capital, said: “It was a privilege to work with Robert, Laura and the team at Cairn. After 30 years’ work building something special, what mattered most to Robert was finding the right home for his clients and his team. It was clear from the first meeting that Clifton understood this and offered exactly that. I’m delighted we could play a part in supporting this transaction.”

Who is JRW Financial Management?

JRW Financial Management is a financial advice firm founded by Ian Walsh in 2016, and based in Airdrie. The appointed representative (AR) firm advises on approximately £40 million FUM, with 200 households.

On working with Chapters Capital, Ian Walsh, Managing Director of JRW Financial, said: “A big thank you to Daniel Campanale at Chapters Capital for his help and support in guiding me through the difficult process of selling my business. Daniel acted in a professional manner, introduced me to prospective buyers, attended initial meetings and guided me through to completion. I would recommend Daniel to any other business owner looking to sell their business.”

What was Chapters Capital's role?

We are very pleased to have advised both Robert Young and Ian Walsh on their successful exits. Our role spanned initial valuation and positioning, managing engagement with multiple potential acquirers, negotiating commercial terms, and seeing both transactions through to completion.